Archived Posts » 59,821,464
New Gas Rings?
4/5/2012 4:02:39 PM
So after I cleaned my rifle last night I checked the gas rings with the old "bolt/carrier/gravity" test. You know put the bolt in the carrier, extend the bolt, place the BCG up-right on the table (bolt face down) and see if the bolt collapses under the weight of the carrier. Well the bolt collapsed, so I'm thinking I need new gas rings. The rings and bolt were well lubed (wet) and the seal is still fairly tight between the carrier and the bolt, but the bolt did collapse under the weight of the carrier. Also, about 1200 rounds thru the rifle, (556 & 223/steel & brass).
Anyway, here come the questions...
1) How well will my rifle run with worn rings? I'm going to replace them, but I'd like to shoot this weekend.
2) Anyone used McFarland one-piece ring?
3) Can I just get any old replacement rings? I saw Brownell's has Colt rings. Will they work on my Spikes bolt?
4) Any tricks to replacing rings, other than staggering the openings?
Yeah lots of questions. First ring replacement...Thanks much.
Anyway, here come the questions...
1) How well will my rifle run with worn rings? I'm going to replace them, but I'd like to shoot this weekend.
2) Anyone used McFarland one-piece ring?
3) Can I just get any old replacement rings? I saw Brownell's has Colt rings. Will they work on my Spikes bolt?
4) Any tricks to replacing rings, other than staggering the openings?
Yeah lots of questions. First ring replacement...Thanks much.
4/5/2012 4:08:52 PM
I think the test is supposed to be seeing if the bolt will fall out of the carrier if it does that they are worn the carrier is heavier so you may still have some life left in them.
I think you would start to see short stroking if they are worn.
I haven't changed any yet so no further advice.
I think you would start to see short stroking if they are worn.
I haven't changed any yet so no further advice.
4/5/2012 6:29:38 PM
1200 rounds? should not be an issue..are you experiencing any malfunctions
4/5/2012 6:45:18 PM
ARMY TM 9-1005-249-23&P
And on Page 2-30 under Inspection/Repair
With retaining pin and campin removed from bolt carrier check for worn bolt rings as follows: Insert bolt assembly all the way in boltcarrier. Turn boltcarrier downward as illustrated. If bolt assembly fall out, rings are worn. Evacuate to direct support maintenance
And on Page 2-30 under Inspection/Repair
With retaining pin and campin removed from bolt carrier check for worn bolt rings as follows: Insert bolt assembly all the way in boltcarrier. Turn boltcarrier downward as illustrated. If bolt assembly fall out, rings are worn. Evacuate to direct support maintenance
4/5/2012 10:40:22 PM
OP as you stated is the way I like to test my bolts.
As posted it doesn't quite sound like the official test where you take the cam pin out etc.
Brownells does not have good reviews on the McFarland one piece ring. Many people like the colt rings. Colt rings should go fine with any milspec bolt/carrier.
Rings are like anything. In my case I bought the brownells model were you get 12 or 15 rings for like 11 bucks. They work fine in my carrier. My bolt used to be so loose that I could tip the upper and the carrier would just slide right out. I changed the gas rings and now it stays put.
Ring replacement is easy. Roll them on, don't "stretch" them over the diameter of the bolt. I think some people say to put the sharp edge of the rings facing the carrier. A recent poster stated he put two rings facing the carrier and the one closest to the cartridge facing the barrel. I'm not quite so sure it makes a difference. The rings are usually punched out so there will be a smooth edge and a sharp edge. Very easy to change.
As posted it doesn't quite sound like the official test where you take the cam pin out etc.
Brownells does not have good reviews on the McFarland one piece ring. Many people like the colt rings. Colt rings should go fine with any milspec bolt/carrier.
Rings are like anything. In my case I bought the brownells model were you get 12 or 15 rings for like 11 bucks. They work fine in my carrier. My bolt used to be so loose that I could tip the upper and the carrier would just slide right out. I changed the gas rings and now it stays put.
Ring replacement is easy. Roll them on, don't "stretch" them over the diameter of the bolt. I think some people say to put the sharp edge of the rings facing the carrier. A recent poster stated he put two rings facing the carrier and the one closest to the cartridge facing the barrel. I'm not quite so sure it makes a difference. The rings are usually punched out so there will be a smooth edge and a sharp edge. Very easy to change.
4/6/2012 12:45:49 PM
That is not the correct test procedure; almost any BCG will fail tested that way.
Rings should not wear out in 1200 rounds.
I run McFarland rings, several weapons no problems.
I would stick to brand names buying the rings.
Rings should not wear out in 1200 rounds.
I run McFarland rings, several weapons no problems.
I would stick to brand names buying the rings.
4/8/2012 12:02:09 PM
Originally Posted By ezlife45:
OP as you stated is the way I like to test my bolts.
As posted it doesn't quite sound like the official test where you take the cam pin out etc.
Brownells does not have good reviews on the McFarland one piece ring. Many people like the colt rings. Colt rings should go fine with any milspec bolt/carrier.
Rings are like anything. In my case I bought the brownells model were you get 12 or 15 rings for like 11 bucks. They work fine in my carrier. My bolt used to be so loose that I could tip the upper and the carrier would just slide right out. I changed the gas rings and now it stays put.
Ring replacement is easy. Roll them on, don't "stretch" them over the diameter of the bolt. I think some people say to put the sharp edge of the rings facing the carrier. A recent poster stated he put two rings facing the carrier and the one closest to the cartridge facing the barrel. I'm not quite so sure it makes a difference. The rings are usually punched out so there will be a smooth edge and a sharp edge. Very easy to change.
OP as you stated is the way I like to test my bolts.
As posted it doesn't quite sound like the official test where you take the cam pin out etc.
Brownells does not have good reviews on the McFarland one piece ring. Many people like the colt rings. Colt rings should go fine with any milspec bolt/carrier.
Rings are like anything. In my case I bought the brownells model were you get 12 or 15 rings for like 11 bucks. They work fine in my carrier. My bolt used to be so loose that I could tip the upper and the carrier would just slide right out. I changed the gas rings and now it stays put.
Ring replacement is easy. Roll them on, don't "stretch" them over the diameter of the bolt. I think some people say to put the sharp edge of the rings facing the carrier. A recent poster stated he put two rings facing the carrier and the one closest to the cartridge facing the barrel. I'm not quite so sure it makes a difference. The rings are usually punched out so there will be a smooth edge and a sharp edge. Very easy to change.
Nothing wrong with McFarland Gas Rings. Brownell got a batch of undersized ones. The acceptable tolerance for a McFarland ring is .499" - .501" diameter.
By design McFarland rings don't need to fit as tight as 3 piece rings for proper function which is good as long as the gas seal is intact.
3 piece rings are about .508" - .510" and compress down below .490". The tighter required fit is one reason the life limit is shorter then a McFarland.
3 ring replacement normally occurs between 3K-6K rounds.
4/9/2012 8:37:37 AM
Thanks for the posts. I will try the Army method of checking my gas rings. I shot about 400 rounds this weekend without a problem. Thanks again!
4/9/2012 7:17:17 PM
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
4/10/2012 1:03:44 PM
Originally Posted By kragen:
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
Good call. I'll get a set. At least I'll have them if I need them. Thanks again!
4/11/2012 12:16:43 PM
Originally Posted By kragen:
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
Yup, that's above average but not unusual.
Gas ring life is determined by a number of things.
Full-auto, suppressors or the double whammy of suppressed full-auto can really shorten gas ring life.
4/11/2012 7:24:55 PM
Originally Posted By Indrid-Cold:
Yup, that's above average but not unusual.
Gas ring life is determined by a number of things.
Full-auto, suppressors or the double whammy of suppressed full-auto can really shorten gas ring life.
Originally Posted By kragen:
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
I have several rifles that are well past the 10k mark, and have not changed rings in any of them. Barrel lenghts from 7.5" to 24".
Just checked the bolts now, and none of them fell out of the carrier.
Buy a set of spare rings, and put them in when you're starting to get issues.
Greetings from the cold north!
Yup, that's above average but not unusual.
Gas ring life is determined by a number of things.
Full-auto, suppressors or the double whammy of suppressed full-auto can really shorten gas ring life.
Suppressed FA shortens ring life in most cases, but my M16 with 11.5" upper is still going strong after around 7k (mostly suppressed with Ase Utra QD, B&T Rotex or Surefire FA5.56MG)
I blew/melted one gas tube (and the B&T Rotex suppressor) while testing Armatac drums.
4/12/2012 2:46:35 PM
Originally Posted By kragen:
Suppressed FA shortens ring life in most cases, but my M16 with 11.5" upper is still going strong after around 7k (mostly suppressed with Ase Utra QD, B&T Rotex or Surefire FA5.56MG)
I blew/melted one gas tube (and the B&T Rotex suppressor) while testing Armatac drums.
Suppressed FA shortens ring life in most cases, but my M16 with 11.5" upper is still going strong after around 7k (mostly suppressed with Ase Utra QD, B&T Rotex or Surefire FA5.56MG)
I blew/melted one gas tube (and the B&T Rotex suppressor) while testing Armatac drums.
Not had to blow a gas tube, manage to do it myself about half way into the third C mag dump on a Kitty Cat.
As rings and suppressors, not so much a problem is you are sprung/buffered up correctly, and not riding the edge of over function.
100/150 lot mag dumping through a can, more of a man that I would every try, even with a reflex can and ti baffles. Even with a reflex chamber to try to reduce some of the pressure before the baffle stack, the stack baffle as they begin to glow are going to distort, with sooner of later, the baffle distorting enough to catch a bullet strike, and chances are, sending the can or baffles down range instead.
Or, just erode the baffle channels to the point that you could shove a dead cat through the can without even needing a packing stick to do so.
4/12/2012 6:40:37 PM
Originally Posted By Dano523:
Not had to blow a gas tube, manage to do it myself about half way into the third C mag dump on a Kitty Cat.
As rings and suppressors, not so much a problem is you are sprung/buffered up correctly, and not riding the edge of over function.
100/150 lot mag dumping through a can, more of a man that I would every try, even with a reflex can and ti baffles. Even with a reflex chamber to try to reduce some of the pressure before the baffle stack, the stack baffle as they begin to glow are going to distort, with sooner of later, the baffle distorting enough to catch a bullet strike, and chances are, sending the can or baffles down range instead.
Or, just erode the baffle channels to the point that you could shove a dead cat through the can without even needing a packing stick to do so.
Originally Posted By kragen:
Suppressed FA shortens ring life in most cases, but my M16 with 11.5" upper is still going strong after around 7k (mostly suppressed with Ase Utra QD, B&T Rotex or Surefire FA5.56MG)
I blew/melted one gas tube (and the B&T Rotex suppressor) while testing Armatac drums.
Suppressed FA shortens ring life in most cases, but my M16 with 11.5" upper is still going strong after around 7k (mostly suppressed with Ase Utra QD, B&T Rotex or Surefire FA5.56MG)
I blew/melted one gas tube (and the B&T Rotex suppressor) while testing Armatac drums.
Not had to blow a gas tube, manage to do it myself about half way into the third C mag dump on a Kitty Cat.
As rings and suppressors, not so much a problem is you are sprung/buffered up correctly, and not riding the edge of over function.
100/150 lot mag dumping through a can, more of a man that I would every try, even with a reflex can and ti baffles. Even with a reflex chamber to try to reduce some of the pressure before the baffle stack, the stack baffle as they begin to glow are going to distort, with sooner of later, the baffle distorting enough to catch a bullet strike, and chances are, sending the can or baffles down range instead.
Or, just erode the baffle channels to the point that you could shove a dead cat through the can without even needing a packing stick to do so.
The Rotex suppressor let go after almost two drums. Nice even bulge around outer tube, as it decided to leave the qd part on the rifle and explore the range on its own (spreading the baffle stack all over the place, starting small fires in the grass)..
Both the surefire and the ase utra cans didn't show any signs on giving up after 4 drums each (they changed color several times in the process though)
